Construction is never easy. But working inside a 140-year-old brownstone in Boston’s South End? That takes it to another level.

We kicked off this full-gut renovation of a large two-bedroom condo in mid-May, inside the historic St. Cloud building. Built in 1879 and modeled after French architecture, it’s a landmark in the neighborhood. If the front steps look familiar, you’ve probably seen them in The Social Network. But inside, it needed serious work.

Rough-In Phase: What We FoundOnce we opened up the walls, the real story of the building revealed itself.

The floors were out of level by nearly 5 inches in spots. We had to carefully plan new subfloor and framing solutions to bring the space back to true.

The electrical was in rough shape — outdated and far from code. We made the call to rip it all out and rewire the entire unit from scratch.

The walls were also crooked. We spent extra time reframing, furring, and straightening everything to ensure cabinetry, tile lines, and floating elements would install flawlessly.

This wasn’t just a cosmetic renovation. We were rebuilding the structure and systems from the inside out.

“When we open up a space like this, it’s not just about replacing old with new — it’s about respecting the building’s history while bringing it to today’s standards. That’s what makes these projects meaningful.”
— Nick Wise, CZ Construction Management

What’s Coming Together

Kitchen
The kitchen will feature high-end appliances, a steam oven, cabinet lighting, premium backsplash, and an island with a built-in range.

Lighting
We installed recessed lighting throughout the unit to modernize the look and brighten up every room.

Primary Bathroom
A walk-in shower with custom glass, a floating vanity, and a clean, spa-like design will anchor the space.

Shared Bath
The second bathroom will include a drop-in tub wrapped in tile, subway tile shower walls, a floating vanity, and a wall-mounted faucet.

Living Room Feature
We’re building a custom glass partition in the living area to create a dedicated study space while keeping an open feel and allowing light to flow through.

Project Progress Timeline

Demo
May 12th – May 19th

Framing
May 19th – May 26th

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Rough-In
May 26th – June 23rd

Before Photos